Sports Posture Training Aid

ABSTRACT

A sports training aide is described which is configured to limit the vertical sight of a player during basketball, soccer, golf, and hockey training, encouraging the player to focus on the other players during dribbling, rather than the ball at the player&#39;s feet or hands. The sports training aide is an apparatus device employing a head brace strap, a waist brace strap, and a brace connector strap which function together in order to prevent the downward vertical movement of the head of the player during training The apparatus is preferably affixed to the forehead and waist of the player with at least one adjustment buckle. The apparatus is preferably equipped with a quick release clasp, and a foam padded head brace strap for comfort during use.

CONTINUITY

This application is a non-provisional patent application of provisional patent application No. 62/073,083, filed on Oct. 31, 2014, and priority is claimed thereto

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates generally sports training equipment, and more specifically, equipment intended to train an individual in ball handling in basketball and soccer, as well as puck handling in hockey. The present invention is configured to help train the player to dribble a ball without looking directly at the ball, facilitating safer gameplay.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Conventionally, soccer players dribble the ball between passes to other players, and prior to offensive kicks towards the goal. Professional players, in time, learn to look towards other players on the horizon rather than down to the ball at their feet when running down the soccer field dribbling the ball. This practice is a critical skill, as the player is best able to anticipate the moves of the defense, while simultaneously reading his teammates' positions for a potential pass. This practice also enables players to more safely play the sport as a whole, as each player is less likely to have a dangerous collision with a defending player by better foreseeing the events on the field. This is especially true in the team sports of soccer and basketball.

Unfortunately, this practice is usually only acquired after years of practice, oftentimes in a professional setting with paid training If this practice was taught and retained by training soccer players, players would play more effectively, and fewer injuries would result from scrimmages and tournaments.

Similarly, the game of Basketball requires players to dribble the basketball while running up and down the court. Players are trained to use their senses of touch and timing to dribble the ball without looking down to see the ball strike and leave their hand. Learning this practice is critical to becoming an expert at the game, as well as for preventing unnecessary collisions with other players, and facilitating expert and accurate passing between players. When many players first begin basketball training, dribbling the ball is difficult to learn. As such, it is best to try to learn the professional method. This, of course, is similar to soccer, as it is optimal for the player to maintain a line-of-sight with the other players and/or the goal, rather than his or her feet or hands.

Likewise, the sport of golf also requires players to train their vision, as it is critical to a quality swing to keep one's eyes on the ball while keeping one's chin upwards. Teaching this skill is difficult for trainers, as it is the golfer's instinctual reaction to look where the ball goes upon—or prior to—striking the golf ball with the club. Averting one's gaze from the ball can almost always cause a miss-stroke, or to cause the ball to slice or draw. If such a device were created that could help align the head and vision of the golfer during his or her swing, the swing would be more accurate, and could greatly assist in training a golfer of the correct stance and posture during a swing.

Thus, there is a need for a sports training aide that expedites the process of learning and integrating the critical skill of maintaining a consistent view of the playing field, including other players, rather than directing primary attention to the ball at the player's feet or hands while dribbling. Such a device is preferably able to train a player to direct his or her gaze outwards, towards the horizon, and limit the vertical movement of the player's head such that he or she is mostly unable to look at his or her feet or hands unless via peripheral vision. Similarly, such a device may preferably also be used to train golfers in the correct posture and stance during a swing.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a sports training aid consisting of a brace apparatus, configured to limit the vertical movement of the head of the player, forcing the player to gaze primarily at the horizon (or above), and employ his or her peripheral vision and touch exclusively to dribble the ball. Encouraging and teaching proper ball and puck handling decreases the chances of injuries due to player collisions, as players are more likely to quickly pass and can see approaching players more readily.

The present invention is preferably positioned such that it is easily affixed to, or removed from the head and waist of the player. The present invention is preferably equipped with at least one conventional adjustment buckle, clip or clasp, configured to secure the brace around the head and waist in a comfortable position.

It is envisioned that, in some embodiments of the present invention, the head brace strap, waist brace strap, and brace connector strap are all one continuous piece of material, equipped with a head brace adjustment buckle, a waist brace adjustment buckle, and a brace connector strap adjustment buckle. Other embodiments of the present invention employ a design with three separate straps, which are preferably joined together with padded adjustable buckles. The connecting strap is preferably sewn or otherwise affixed to the head brace strap and the waist brace strap. The interior of the head brace strap is preferably lined with a comfortable foam. Conversely, the head brace strap may simple be made of a soft nylon or similar fabric for the comfort of the user.

The present invention is configured to help train young soccer, basketball, golf and hockey players, during their first years of play, in the proper placement of their eyes. The head brace strap is configured to ensure that each player keeps his or her head up while keeping his or her eyes fixed on other players. Simultaneously, young soccer and basketball players are taught to maintain the ball in their peripheral vision while the ball is in their possession in order to maintain adequate ball control. A skill such as this is critical throughout the game. When a player is in the game, and defending players are coming up to steal the ball away from them, they will be more readily able and prepared to pass the ball to open teammates. This is similar for basketball, as players should learn to dribble the ball without looking at the ball, nor down at the ball at all. As such, it is envisioned that the present invention may be worn by basketball players during training to train and encourage accurate and competent ball handling without looking down at the ball. Similarly, it is envisioned that the present invention may also be worn by a golfer in training in order to train him or her in the proper posture and head placement during a swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front, demonstrating how the present invention is configured to be worn.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention as seen from the back.

FIG. 3 exhibits the present invention as seen from the side.

FIG. 4 displays an alternate embodiment of the present invention as shown from the side.

FIG. 5 displays a view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, detailing a backpack-like strap, as seen from the rear of the present invention.

FIG. 6 details a view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a backpack-like strap with a central locking ring.

FIG. 7 exhibits a side view of an alternate embodiment of the head brace strap of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a sports training aid which employs a head brace strap (10), configured to circumscribe the forehead of the soccer player during training The present invention is similarly equipped with a waist brace strap (20), and a brace connector strap (30). A backpack-like brace strap (90) may be used in some embodiments of the present invention in lieu of the waist brace strap (20). Each the head brace strap (10), the waist brace strap (20) and the brace connector strap (30) are preferably equipped with an adjustment buckle to facilitate the use of the present invention on a wide variety of individuals that vary in size. For referential differentiation, these adjustment buckles include a head brace strap buckle (40), a waist brace strap buckle (50), and a brace connector strap buckle (60). It should be understood that each of the buckles are preferably quick release buckles. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to restrict the vertical movement of the player's head, limiting his or her capacity to look straight down, such as to the ball at the player's feet.

It is envisioned that, in some embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple brace connector straps (30) in order to ensure adequate distribution of tension to the head brace strap (10). Other embodiments of the present invention employ a variation on the brace connector strap (30) that may employ a static shaft on a hinge, configured to permit solely horizontal movement of the head via the head brace strap (10). The interior of the head brace strap (10) is preferably lined with a comfortable foam (70). The foam (70) placed on the interior circumference of the head brace strap (10), or composing the head brace strap (10) is preferably at least ¼^(th) of an inch thick, and may be dyed a variety of colors. However it is envisioned that a thinner foam may be employed in economical or travel versions of the present invention. The foam (70) may be user-replaceable, and is preferably washable, as it may be removed from the head brace strap (10) via a Velcro TM or similar attachment.

The head brace strap (10) of the present invention is preferably configured to be ‘one-size-fits-all’ and may be worn on the majority of players of varying sizes without issue. It is envisioned that the present invention is adjustable via the head brace strap buckle (40), the waist brace strap buckle (50) and the brace connector strap buckle (60). Alternate embodiments of the head brace strap (10) as shown in FIG. 7 are configured with a chin-strap rather than extending around the forehead. Each point of contact with the skin of the player is preferably equipped with the foam (50). Alternate embodiments of the head brace strap (10) may include a chin strap, as seen in FIG. 4. Additionally, alternate embodiments of the present invention may employ a backpack-like brace strap (90) in lieu of the waist brace strap (20), as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The alternate embodiment displayed in FIG. 6 employs a center locking ring (100) to facilitate the connection between the brace connector strap (30) and the backpack-like brace strap (90). It should be understood that both the backpack-like brace strap (90) and the waist brace strap (20) are both configured for use on portions of the torso, and are therefore torso brace straps, employing a portion of the torso as a mounting point to limit the movement of the head vertically via the head brace strap (10) and the brace connector strap (30).

The present invention is preferably placed onto the player during training by placing the head brace strap (10) around the forehead and tightening the head brace strap (10) with the head brace strap buckle (40) and securing the remaining portion of the head brace strap (10) behind the player's head. The brace connector strap (30) is preferably equipped with a quick release system (80), configured to release under pressure for safety. The quick release system (80) is preferably integrated into the brace connector strap buckle (60). In the event that another player attempts to rip the present invention off of the player in training, the present invention will ‘quick-release’ from the forehead of the player, preventing injury. Additionally, it is envisioned that the ‘quick-release’ is preferably snap based, and employs a snap clip for safety.

It is envisioned that the present invention is preferably available in a variety of colors, styles, and textures. Similarly, it is envisioned that the present invention may be used with similar team sports, such as hockey, without alteration.

Alternately, it is envisioned that the present invention may be employed by a golfer during training in order to perfect his or her golf swing. Due to the placement of the head brace strap (10) around the forehead, the present invention is able to maintain the golfer in the correct posture and head position during a swing. For example, the present invention encourages the gofer to keep his or her back straight, eyes down looking at the ball, while keeping his or her chin up. The preferred embodiment of the present invention facilitates the golfer keeping his or her chin up, which is critical to a successful back swing, ensuring the golfer's chin remains out of the way of the golfer's arms during a swing. Similarly, the present invention ensures that the body of the golfer does not move around much during a swing, ensuring a more consistent swing, and better, more accurate shots.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

I claim:
 1. A team sports training device to be worn by a player, curbing the players ability to look down during play comprising: a head brace strap; a brace connector strap; a torso brace strap; wherein said head brace strap is disposed securely around the head of the player; wherein said torso brace strap is disposed securely around the torso of the player, below the arms of the player; wherein said brace connector strap connects said head brace strap to said torso brace strap; and wherein said brace connector strap is taught between said torso brace strap and said head brace strap.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: foam padding; and wherein said foam padding is disposed on said head brace strap and said torso brace strap.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a head brace strap buckle; a brace connector strap buckle; wherein said head brace strap buckle is a quick-release buckle; and wherein said brace connector strap buckle is a second quick-release buckle.
 4. A method for training players of teams sports to look at the horizon, rather than down comprising: placing a head brace strap around the forehead of the player; tightening the head brace strap with a head brace strap buckle; placing a waist brace strap around the waist of the player; tightening the waist brace strap with a waist brace strap buckle; connecting a rear of the head brace strap to a rear of the waist brace strap via a vertical brace connector strap; ensuring the vertical brace connector strap is taught when the head of the player is level; and the player practicing playing the game with limited vertical head movement. 